José Mardones - I Vespri Siciliani - O tu Palermo - Verdi

José Mardones (1869 - 1932) probably was the greatest bass voice in history. Ponselle said, "He had the greatest bass voice I ever heard. Nobody could even come close to that sound. It was like the lowest pedal on the pipe organ of a great cathedral - a real basso profondo. He had everything vocally: a huge voice, excellent technique, and a top that could go way up into the baritone range." You can hear such a strong falsetto coordination in the sound without giving up any lower register, except to sing quietly. Perfect chiaroscuro! What is also great about Mardones is that he does not have the "thick", muffled, distorted sound that most basses and baritones do today. The vowels are clear with plenty of squillante.